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Residents, developers disagree over 300‑foot solar setbacks and stormwater enforcement
Summary
Speakers told the Planning Commission that a 300‑foot setback could exclude small landowners from solar while others demanded stronger stormwater and erosion‑control requirements and third‑party review; staff said CUP conditions can enforce some standards but Surry lacks a standalone stormwater ordinance.
The planning commission debated proposed 300‑foot setbacks and whether the county can enforce stormwater and erosion controls for solar projects. Several commenters and a nonprofit representative warned that a 300‑foot setback would make smaller parcels uneconomic for solar development and urged a 150‑foot standard used in other localities.
Blake Cox of Energy Right said the 300‑foot setback "could hurt the smaller land owners ability to develop solar on their property" and urged flexibility for small landowners and farmers. AES's representative echoed concerns that rigid setbacks could prevent smaller, locally owned projects from proceeding.
Commissioners and citizens also pressed for stronger, enforceable stormwater protections. Staff said Surry County currently lacks a dedicated stormwater ordinance and relies on state DEQ review for projects over an acre; staff recommended requiring independent third‑party engineers as part of the application/CUP process and including performance information in applications so reviewers can assess water‑quality measures before construction.
Some public speakers described past failures to meet agreed mitigation (traffic routing, site maintenance) and asked whether the county can pause construction when developers violate CUP conditions. Staff said conditions that applicants agree to as part of a CUP become legally enforceable, although the county would need an ordinance to broaden enforcement tools.
The commission asked staff to fold stormwater and access requirements into the application and CUP processes, and to return with clarified language for the revised solar ordinance.
